AMRO Director/CEO Yasuto Watanabe delivered a speech at the 29th AFMGM+3 on the occasion of AMRO’s 10th Anniversary as an international organization.
May 3, 2026 | Samarkand
Your Excellencies,
This year, AMRO marks 10 years as an international organization serving ASEAN+3.
I would like to thank you for your continued guidance and strong support.
AMRO’s transition into an international organization in 2016 marked a defining period in its development.
At that time, we had fewer than 40 staff and only a modest range of publications.
Today, AMRO has grown to more than 120 staff, with its analytical and policy work supporting a broad range of regional priorities.
This evolution reflects not only AMRO’s development, but the transformation of ASEAN+3.
Over the past decade, the region has become more interconnected, with deeper integration and stronger demand.
ASEAN+3 is now the world’s largest market, accounting for 28% of global final demand.
The long-standing view of Asia as merely the world’s factory is outdated.
Today, we are navigating what many describe as “changes unseen in a century.”
In this environment, AMRO’s role is clear.
We must identify risks early, and provide timely, practical policy advice.
We will continue strengthening the regional financial safety net through our support for the CMIM.
AMRO is expanding technical assistance to strengthen policymaking capacity across the region.
We are also advancing work in areas such as cross-border digital payments and financial connectivity, in support of the updated Strategic Direction of the ASEAN+3 Finance Process.
Yet one principle remains unchanged: resilience cannot be achieved alone.
Your Excellencies,
As we look ahead, AMRO will remain steadfast in its mandate: to deliver rigorous and independent surveillance, to support sound policymaking, and strengthen regional financial cooperation.
Together with our members, we will continue building a more resilient and integrated ASEAN+3.
Thank you.
Read more from the press release.